Coco Talanoa — Coco News / Page 9

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

The iconic Samoan brewery which opened in 1978, will close its doors and relocate to Fiji in October.

In a statement to TheCoconetTV, Vailima’s Suva-based parent company Paradise Beverages said it explored every avenue to retain operation in Samoa but none were commercially viable.

“We want to keep the Vailima brand alive by moving production to Fiji using the same traditional methods and ingredients,” the statement read.

“We want to stress that if a viable local option presents itself to be able to produce on island, we are open to the approach.”

“In fact, that is our preference.”

It’s expected up to 50 jobs will be affected.

Workers will have the option to apply for other roles or take voluntary redundancy. 

Currently, Vailima is manufactured by Samoa Breweries, a subsidiary of Paradise Beverages - which also owns Fiji Bitter, Fiji Gold, Vonu Pure Lager, Fiji Premium and Ratu and Bati rum.

Coca-Cola Amatil owns a near 90% stake in Paradise Beverages.

The Vailima brand and heritage will continue to live on, Paradise Beverages said.…more

Shannon Tiezzi from The Diplomat Magazine is joined on this webinar by freelance journalist Lice Movono, Australian National University lecturer Henry Ivarature and Georgetown University lecturer Patrick O'Brien.

They talk about the leaked security pact between the Solomon Islands and China...

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Credit: The Diplomat

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Delivering an emotional valedictory speech on Thursday, he thanked mentors, parliamentary colleagues and his kāiga.

Kris Faafoi also poked fun at fellow Pasifika in the Labour Party caucus.

“To my Pacific caucus colleagues, fakafetai lahi lele,” he said.

“Our Pacific caucus shows the connection that Labour has to our Pacific community.”

“I'm not sure when we'll get another Tokelauan, but we will, and I'm sure Anahila [Kanongata’a-Suisuiki] will be there to take a selfie.”

In 2010, Faafoi took over the reins of the Mana electorate from Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban.

He thanked the “amazing and talented” current MP for Mana, Barbara Edmonds.

“[She] has a long future in that seat, and I am sure she will make a massive contribution to the country during her tenure,” he said.

The highlight of his ministerial career was accompanying Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern on a visit to Tokelau, he said.…more

Watch a wrap-up of your week in news from across the Islands, in under a minute.

Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has landed in Aotearoa making noise not for her politics, but her fashion.

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

by Mariner Fagaiava-Muller & Teherenui Koteka

Māori herald their New Year with the rising of the Matariki star cluster, but it’s used too by Pacific Islanders to track time and seasons.

In Hawai’i, the Pleiades star cluster is called Makali’i. It appears at sunset, as opposed to sunrise as Aotearoa sees it.

Whereas Matariki is observed in Aotearoa during June/July, Makali'i in Hawai'i comes about during the latter end of the year around October.

Kamehameha Schools tells the traditional mo’olelo (story) about how the name came to be.

“It begins with the evil deeds of an aliʻi of Kona on the island of Hawaiʻi. He greedily decides to hoard everyone’s food into one enormous carrying net and travels with it to the highest stratum of the heavens, where he hangs it up.”

“Meanwhile, the ravenous people hastily gather to plan a way to get their food back. A little mouse bravely consents to take on the arduous task. He successfully gnaws on the net until the food drops to the earth.…more

" ... What excites me is the opportunity to continue serving my community by providing a platform where our people can share their stories. I also look forward to working with Tofiga to shift misconceptions about Pasifika people because this is truly our time as a people to be unapologetically proud of our origins." - Inangaro Vakaafi 

Radio 531pi has announced its new look mid-morning show called ‘Island Time’, featuring legendary entertainer Tofiga Fepulea’i alongside journalist and co-host Inangaro Vakaafi.

The pair aim to deliver a show that is creative, fresh and fun when it launches this Monday 27 June at 9am.

“My vision for the show is to continue to be myself as an entertainer but also show more of Tofiga as the father, husband and passionate Pasifika male that I’ve grown to be through my upbringing, my faith and culture,” says Fepulea’i.

“I hope people will enjoy the new tag team of Ina and myself on air.…more

Aysha Nanai-Leifi was selected by Converse to represent the big shoe company at this year’s Tribeca Film Festival in New York.

The Samoan creative walked the prestigious red carpet alongside notable industry names, on her way to take center stage to share her experience as a young brown storyteller. 

The Tribeca Festival is an annual film festival organized by Tribeca Productions. It takes place each spring in New York City, showcasing a diverse selection of film, talks, music, and art. This year the festival was attended by names like Taylor Swift, Lupita Nyong'o, ASAP Rocky and John Legend. Among these celebrities and creatives was proud Pasifika woman Aysha Nanai-Leifi. 

Converse flew Aysha out to New York to speak on a panel at TribecaX2022 titled "HOW CONVERSE CREATES NEXT WITH ITS ALL-STARS". The Converse All-Stars serves as a global network connecting creatives, providing digital and physical experiences, commissioned work and mentorship to a community around the world. A community in which Ms. Nanai-Leifi has been proud to be part of since she was 20 years old.…more

A Modern Guide to an Ancient Art has just been launched and released today! 

The book 'Lāuga: Understanding Samoan oratory' is being Launched at the Museum of New Zealand: Te Papa Tongarewa in Wellington. The launch includes saunoaga by author Dr Sadat Muaiava, Hon. Aupito William Sio (Minister of Pacific Peoples), Luamanuvao Dame Winnie Laban (Assistant Vice-Chancellor, Pasifika, Victoria University), and Caren Rangi (Chair of Arts Council of New Zealand Toi Aotearoa). Students of Samoan Studies at Victoria perform songs and Siva Samoa from the Tautua Dance Academy.

Lāuga or Samoan oratory is a premier cultural practice in fa'asamoa (Samoan culture). Its intricacies are what sets apart a simple speech from an ancient art of speech. Dr Le'ausalilo Sadat Muaiava has put together a book to guide the reader through a lāuga and its key stages. It’s an ideal companion for those who may be called upon to speak at significant occasions, those wanting to improve their knowledge and skills, and all those interested in fa'asamoa.…more

TheCoconetTV is extremely proud to acknowledge the knighting of Associate Pacific Dean, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, in the 2022 Queen’s Birthday Honours. Dr Tukuitonga is awarded with the Knights Companion Order of Merit (KNZM), a top accolade for his services to Pacific and Public Health.

The honour acknowledges Dr Tukuitonga’s extensive history of service to his Pacific community, both in Aotearoa, further into the Pacific region and on the global stage.

Sir Tukuitonga is one of our most prominent Pacific figures in the health sector in Aotearoa, the region and globally, having held leadership roles in public health and in Pacific development. His voice was crucial in advocating for Pasifika during the Covid crisis in Aotearoa, and he has been consistently vocal in pointing to inequities for Pasifika in the Health system and pushing for policy to impact Pasifika in better ways.

Sir Tukuitonga has held several highly influential offices, including Director General of the Pacific Community (SPC), Commissioner and Co-ordinator for WHO Geneva, Chief Executive of the Ministry of Pacific Island Affairs and Director of Public Health, Ministry of Health.…more

Pacific scholar Toeolesulusulu Professor Damon Salesa earlier this year began his role as the vice-chancellor of AUT University.

He is the first Pasifika person in Aotearoa to be at the helm of a university.

In the spirit of Vaiaso o le Gagana Samoa, we chat to le afioga Toeolesulusulu about his humble beginnings, his drive and his vision.

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Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air

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Director: Mariner Fagaiava-Muller

Camera Operator: Riki Reinfeld

Editor: Damon Fepulea'i